[POLL] MechSpecs Reset Button on NEW Forum Software?

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Recently many of the Benefactors have been looking at options to spruce and spice things up here at MechSpecs. Both from a content stand point as well as from a refreshing existing builds and content.

What this would entail is as follows...

Providing content for regular members
Providing more in-depth content for Benefactors
Way better WYSIWYG options as well as media/content posting
Removing builds that are XYZ days old and allowing re-posts or re-arrangements

This would basically clean up the pool. We have builds that, while popular, are outdated and show up in the 5 star search that many people do.

Now here is where things get interesting....

There is a new forum software (relatively new) out there called XenForo. It costs $140.00 for an initial purchase and then $40.00 a year for upgrades and support. I license a copy of this software for one of my Star Citizen projects and I can tell you it is bad ass...

Built in membership upgrade options (1 time fees or recurring memberships for Benefactors etc).
Built in likes (which are tracked)
Built in mentions (which are tracked)
Many other moderation features
Tons of other crap....

Is this something you guys want? If so place your vote here so that the Benefactors can make more informed decisions on what the rest of the MWO: MS community wants.

XenForo: $140.00 initial price ($40/yr after for unlimited upgrades and support)
Migration: $150.00 flat fee for a forum our size for zero loss in primary content
Smurfy Integration: Free - He already has XenForo plugin for us

VOTE CLOSES IN 14 DAYS FROM DATE OF POST!

Regards,
Michael

 

I voted "Don't Care" since the current forum software and functionality works fine for me, and I doubt any changes to the back-end would make much difference to me.

 

You are free to vote however you wish

 

This sounds interesting Michael. I don't know anything about XenForo, but I'm always willing to give new things a try! Like you said, I've been looking for something to happen here. As long as it is received well by everyone, I'd love to give it a shot.

 

Its interesting software. Basically it does everything that one would expect from a premium platform and it's all integrated. Smurfy has a plugin for it so transferring mech builds, and making new ones, is pretty much the same as it is now.

The only hard part would be migrating the database from here to there. I've never attempted it before so I don't know if the one that is out there will actually do it. I would have to ask around.

 

Will it make your job easier though.
Would it cause less bendwidth or things by making data more slimmed up or what not.
If not then it would be more cash thrown into here. And I do know that your time spent here is less now that you will have to care for the SC website.

 

From me just digging lightly into the hadean.org it uses less bandwidth yes but that is no longer the issue with our VPS. It was the server resources that were killing the site... SMF is a bit of a server hog with all the plugins and additions. XenForo is definitely more streamlined and works with mobile devices a LOT better (I use my android browser all the time for hadean.org).

In terms of operations? I would set up a moderation team and there is a very comprehensive moderation suite in XenForo 1.4

 

I forgot to mention, one REALLY useful feature? When you click on a link it takes you to the last post you read and you don't have to scroll all the way down LOL

Notifications are also much more clear and comprehensive.

 

I'm down for new shit! This forum software is antiquated in terms of features. Anything new is GOOD. I also like the idea of everyone providing incentives for Benefactors versus regular plebs. What?

 

I should clarify; the transfer of posts is difficult, AT BEST. At worst it isn't possible. There are a number of import scripts out there that work for the major premium forums and plugging them in to XenForo but the one for SMF is outdated and might not even work at all (shrugs) I don't know. It would have to be something to explore.

You guys were talking about starting over; well worst case scenario this gives a fresh canvas to paint on LOL

 

Since I'm the lone dissent, I will say why.

Sure, some builds are old and no long viable, but I fear that if the slate is wiped clean, there will be NO builds for so many shit mechs that people don't play (much) anymore or want to take the time to rebuild/post. There is always a flurry of activity in the first 2 weeks of when a mech comes out, but little after that. Sure, some votes are a bit dated, but some votes is better than NO votes or No builds to vote on.

I go through and change builds from time to time and you can read through the subject line and figure if it will work or not. So, maybe the other changes in forum software are worthwhile, but I would consider a 'clean slate' on builds/voting to not be a positive.

 

I don't think a complete reset would be bad. Sure you will lose posts and build threads, but we should try to keep this mech sections active and engaging. Re-discuss mechanics and mech building philosophies.

I would prefer that everything is dumped into an "Archive" for future reference or linking purposes. This will allow the relevant builds to be re-posted (yes, as duplicates).

Overall, with a good push to advertise the site with a few videos and PR on the other forums and Reddit, we could use that opportunity to attract new members. Because there is a "fresh canvas to paint on", members will have plenty on their minds to fill the spaces with their favorite builds. This is also a great opportunity for us to begin voting on top-tier builds from each chassis and/or weight class.

I would have to re-think a "reset" if we couldn't save the threads in some fashion.

 

I think its ok to reset and rediscuss the builds. Sure, lots of work will dissappear, but most of it its outdated and actually need to be updated. There are builds in the Atlas subforum with the ECM in the Head/CenterTorso/etc... that have 4-5 stars, just to mention the very first thing that came to my head. Thats really newbie unfriendly from my point of view

 

I will have to look in to the migration options or if that doesn't work then keep this site as active and use it as an "archive". I'm waiting to see how this thread rolls out before investing time into researching specifics.

 

If it means losing previous builds and resetting, then the answer should obviously be NO.

 

I'm talking to the XenForo guys now to see if there is a three step...

I might be able to go from SMF to phpBB and then phpBB to XenForo. There ARE conversion tools out there just nothing from point A to point B. However, even after conversion there will be a large element of cleanup as nothing ever converts 100% correctly.

 

UPDATE: I found a guy on XenForo who does this kind of stuff. For a forum our size he would charge $150.00 USD as it is a multi-step process but by doing it this way we wouldn't lose "ANY of our primary content".

There are two caveats to that though; there ARE two things that would be lost; ratings for builds and likes. Likes aren't counted right now as they aren't native to SMF but they ARE native in XenForo. Ratings would also be lost because they aren't native to SMF however they are native in XenForo. I don't think that is a major problem because most of this stuff would be archived anyways.

So now you are talking around $290.00 in software and services to be raised.

 

I like the idea actually.

MechSpecs has been pretty static for the last couple of years and it would be nice to have some new features and a new face/look on an old product. Every time I come here it reminds me of those NGNG guys website and then makes me depressed for MechWarrior Online.

As long as we don't lose anything I say go for it!

Change it Michael! For the love of all that is Holy, change it!

 

Scarily I utterly agree with Soy.

Builds aren't there just to give one answer as to THE best build they have to cater for a huge variety of play styles, strengths and weaknesses over time. I use the builds to help me formulate my own ones but I rarely slavishly follow them. I seek to understand the purpose, strengths and weaknesses of any build and then adapt those I appreciate. I'm as likely to be asking "why", "what was your thinking" or "how does this work on the maps we have available" than rating something. Mechspecs is a great source of creativity and losing old builds (that might cycle back in anyway with the next set of nerfs) seems a bad idea.

I'm really NOT concerned with ratings as those are so subjective and timely. But then I generally ignore them!

It has to be said, if its decided to move things over I'm sure a few of us can help cost wise.